OMG! Don't LOL but the FBI has decoded digital slang

Mahesh Sharma

Shrinking screens and text input boxes are forcing us to become more creative with our use of language, resulting in over 2800 different slang terms. Photo: Glenn Hunt

America's top police agency has assembled a list of 2800 slang terms used to communicate on the internet, demonstrating how shrinking technologies are squeezing creative new phrases into our lexicon.

The FBI's list, released in response to a freedom of information request by organisation MuckRock, included every conceivable permutation of popular terms, such as ''OMG'', ''LOL'', and ''TTYL'', as well as a host of long-winded phrases whose acronyms were almost easier to pronounce than type.

It's hard to believe that some phrases, such as ''would you like a bowl of cream to go with that remark'', are being used often enough to warrant a convoluted acronym such as ''WYLABOCTGWTR'', or that someone would declare ''BTWITIAILWU'' – ''By the way, I think I'm in love with you'' – via a text message, but the FBI found cause enough to include these on their list, which is used as a reference by agents.

''FMDIDGAD'' refers to one of the most famous lines in the history of cinema, ''Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn'', while other double-meaning acronyms, such as ''KMA'' (keep me advised/kiss my ass) and ''TG'' (thank god/transgender), could be more trouble than they're worth.

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Nenagh Kemp, a senior lecturer at the University of Tasmania's Division of Psychology, said slang usually emerges as a secret code within a particular group, but as the terms become more popular and adopted by the mainstream, the cool factor subsides.

''It gives you a sense of belonging to a social group,'' Kemp said, ''especially if others outside the group don't understand what it means.''

She said technology was having a two-fold impact on the creation and adoption of slang: as people can freely type and share their thoughts via text messages, emails, and social media, they are also limited by text message and tweet character limits, as well as the small size of text input boxes on computers and smartphones. This means the use of language has become more creative and sophisticated.

''Because there's more scope for using it ... people are thinking more about how to play with language and making up new combinations of words,'' she said.

''They're having fun with language, which is the important thing – as long as they keep it in the right medium, such as texting, and don't start writing it in university essays.''

Slang lexicographer Jonathon Green said no-one can exist in a ''slang-world'' (except maybe in prison) and must discard their tribal vernacular to enter real life. ''Just as one discards casual clothes to go to work,'' Green said.

The FBI's top internet slang terms:

ALOTBSOL = ''Always look on the bright side of life.''

AYFKMWTS = ''Are you f--king kidding me with this s--t?''

BBN = Bye bye no/be back never.

BH = Be happy/bloody hell/big head.

BIBO = Beer in, beer out.

BTDTGTTSAWIO = Been there done that, got the T-shirt and wore it out.

DWT = Driving while texting.

GKY = Go kill yourself.

IHA = I hate your acronyms.

IITYWTMWYBMAD = If I tell you what this means will you buy me a drink?